Sports stats

USHL Tri-City Storm

Storm Drop New Year's Eve Battle to Stars

December 31, 2020 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release


Tri-City Storm defenseman Cole McWard
Tri-City Storm defenseman Cole McWard
(Tri-City Storm)

Kearney, NE. - The Tri-City Storm dropped a home game to the Lincoln Stars by a final score of 3-1 Thursday night at the Viaero Center. Mark Estapa scored the Storm's only goal in the 3rd period on the power play. Tri-City fell to 6-5-0-0 in the loss. The Storm return to action on Saturday in road game against the Stars. Puck drop is set 7:05pm.

Stanley Cooley scored the opening goal of the game at 9:49 of the 1st period to give the Stars a 1-0 lead. Spencer Smith provided the only assist on the goal. Storm goaltender Connor Hopkins stopped Stars forward Nikolai Mayorov on a penalty shot with under five minutes to play in the 1st period to keep the deficit at just one goal. Despite outshooting the Stars 6-5 in the 1st period, the Storm trailed by a goal entering the 2nd period.

Lincoln's Joey Larson scored the Stars' second goal of the game at 14:02 of the 2nd period to increase the lead. The goal was assisted by Carter Schade and gave Lincoln a 2-0 lead. Like the 1st period, Lincoln scored the only goal of the period and the Stars led 2-0 entering the 3rd period. Tri-City outshot Lincoln 10-5 in the 2nd period but trailed 2-0 entering the 3rd period.

Spencer Smith scored a goal forty-four seconds into the 3rd period to increase the Lincoln advantage to 3-0. Tri-City's only scoring play of the night came at 9:28 of the final period. Mark Estapa scored a power-play goal to bring the Storm back within two goals of the Stars' lead. Estapa's goal was his 3rd of the 2020-2021 regular season. Isac Jonsson recorded the lone assist on the play. The assist was Jonsson's 3rd of the year. Estapa's goal was the final scoring play in the game and the Storm fell by a final score of 3-1. Tri-City outshot Lincoln 12-5 in the 3rd period and 28-15 overall in the game. Connor Hopkins recorded the loss in net after making 12 saves on 15 shots. Ryan Ouellette recorded the win in goal for Lincoln. Mark Estapa was named the 2nd Star of the Game for his power-play goal in the 3rd period.

The Storm return to action on Saturday, January 2nd in a road game against the Lincoln Stars. For the latest information regarding the Tri-City Storm, including tickets to the next home game, visit www.StormHockey.com.

Check out the Tri-City Storm Statistics




Images from this story

Tri-City Storm defenseman Cole McWard
Tri-City Storm defenseman Cole McWard
   



United States Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2020


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central